David Beckham is ready for the backlash over his new acting career

The retired soccer star, who recently had a cameo role in Guy Ritchie's Man from U.N.C.L.E., has opened up about his Hollywood ambitions and says he can ''deal'' with people's harsh words about his new career.

He explained: ''I am very aware that many sportsmen and other celebrities have turned their hand to acting and failed.

"I know that it is a tough profession, where you need a huge amount of skill and discipline, and I wouldn't want to push myself forward too soon, without learning more about it, and doing a lot more practice.

"But what I have done so far, I have loved. I can deal with most things. I am a well-known person, so I have got used to criticism."

The 40-year-old star has again teamed up with Guy for his next movie, Knights of the Roundtable, in which he'll have a speaking part.

David told The Times newspaper: "I had 13 lines and practised a huge amount beforehand. Guy had someone come and rehearse with me, and I did that an hour every day in the build-up."

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